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In June 2022, Veja Mate and Siemens Energy signed a new Balance of Plant contract, continuing a successful cooperation project.

In 2019, a consortium formed by Commerz Real, Ingka Group, KGAL and ALH Group bought 80% of the shares and became the major shareholder in the 402 MW Offshore Project “Veja Mate”. The consortium has recently acquired the remaining 20% of the shares from Siemens Project Ventures.

On August 27, 2021, the Veja Mate Offshore Wind project was named “Best Offshore Wind Power Plant in Operation” for the second consecutive year. The award was presented at the 10th Offshore Economic Forum on Helgoland.

As part of the 9th Offshore Wind Economic Forum, Veja Mate received the award for “Best Offshore Wind Power Plant in Operation”. In the overall assessment of the technical, commercial and HSE-performance criteria, the 402 MW project prevailed.

Veja Mate is most pleased to announce the completion of its final milestone – receipt of the project certificate. Since March 2015, SGS Germany has provided Veja Mate an extensive range of quality assurance and risk assessment certification services to ensure compliance with standards of the BSH - German Maritime and Hydrographic Agency.

Veja Mate is pleased to present this short video which provides insight on how it completed construction in just 23 months after Financial Close.

All of its 67 turbines are now feeding green, renewable electricity into the German grid from the North Sea.

With the installation and commissioning of the last of its 67 Siemens SWT-6.0-154 turbines over the weekend, Veja Mate completed construction in less than 14 months and just 23 months after Financial Close (FC).

Veja Mate Offshore Wind Farm is pleased to announce the installation of 34 of its 67 WTGs two and a half months ahead of the schedule agreed at Financial Close in July 2015.

Veja Mate Offshore Wind Farm is most pleased to announce the completion of its array cable installation and post-lay burial activities 10 weeks ahead of schedule.

Veja Mate Offshore Wind Farm has reached an important milestone. In just 18 months after financial close, the first Siemens 6MW wind turbine has started supplying the German electricity grid with green, renewable energy two months ahead of schedule. Normal 0 21 false false false DE X-NONE X-NONE

Project Background and Development

Veja Mate is a 402 MW offshore wind farm located in the German Exclusive Economic Zone of the North Sea, approximately 95 kilometers northwest of the island of Borkum. The project was developed by Veja Mate Offshore Project GmbH, with construction commencing in 2015 and full commissioning achieved in 2017. The wind farm comprises 67 Siemens SWT-6.0-154 turbines, each with a capacity of 6 MW, mounted on monopile foundations in water depths ranging from 39 to 41 meters.

The project achieved financial close in July 2015, securing financing from a consortium of international banks and institutional investors. The construction phase was notable for its efficiency, with the first turbine installed in early 2017 and the final turbine commissioned in May 2017, well ahead of the original schedule. This rapid execution was made possible by meticulous planning, a dedicated project team, and favorable weather windows during offshore installation campaigns.

Veja Mate's strategic location in the German Bight benefits from strong, consistent wind resources, resulting in an annual energy production of approximately 1.6 terawatt-hours, enough to supply around 400,000 German households with clean electricity. The project contributes significantly to Germany's Energiewende objectives and the European Union's renewable energy targets.

Technical Specifications and Operational Performance

The Veja Mate offshore wind farm utilizes state-of-the-art technology to maximize energy yield and operational reliability. Each Siemens SWT-6.0-154 turbine has a rotor diameter of 154 meters and a hub height of approximately 102 meters above mean sea level. The turbines are connected via 33 kV inter-array cables to an offshore substation, which steps up the voltage to 155 kV for transmission to shore.

The offshore substation, installed in 2016, is a critical component of the project's infrastructure. It houses transformers, switchgear, and control systems necessary for efficient power transmission. From the substation, electricity is exported via a 155 kV export cable to the BorWin2 converter platform, operated by TenneT, where it is converted to high-voltage direct current (HVDC) for transmission to the German mainland grid. This HVDC connection minimizes transmission losses over the long distance to shore.

Operational performance has been exemplary since commissioning. The wind farm consistently achieves high availability rates, exceeding 97% in recent years. Advanced condition monitoring systems and predictive maintenance strategies have contributed to minimizing downtime and optimizing turbine performance. The project has also received recognition for its health, safety, and environmental management practices, including the "Best Offshore Wind Power Plant in Operation" award in 2020 and 2021.

Ownership and Investment Structure

Veja Mate has undergone significant ownership changes since its inception. Originally developed by a consortium including Siemens Project Ventures and other investors, the project attracted new institutional capital in 2019. A consortium comprising Commerz Real, Ingka Group, KGAL, and ALH Group acquired an 80% stake, with Siemens Project Ventures retaining 20% until the recent acquisition of the remaining shares by the consortium.

The involvement of Ingka Group, the parent company of IKEA, underscores the growing interest of corporate entities in renewable energy investments as part of their sustainability strategies. Commerz Real and KGAL bring extensive experience in infrastructure and renewable energy fund management, while ALH Group contributes additional financial strength. This diverse ownership structure provides long-term stability and aligns with the project's operational lifecycle.

The investment in Veja Mate reflects broader trends in the offshore wind sector, where institutional investors seek stable, long-term returns from operational assets with predictable cash flows. The project benefits from a fixed feed-in tariff under the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG), providing revenue certainty for the first 20 years of operation. This regulatory framework has been instrumental in attracting capital to the German offshore wind market.

Environmental and Community Impact

Veja Mate plays a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting Germany's climate goals. By generating clean electricity from wind, the project displaces approximately 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually compared to conventional fossil fuel generation. This contribution is equivalent to removing over 500,000 cars from the road each year.

The project has implemented comprehensive environmental monitoring programs to assess impacts on marine life, including seabirds, marine mammals, and benthic habitats. During construction, measures such as bubble curtains and soft-start procedures were employed to mitigate underwater noise impacts on harbor porpoises. Post-construction monitoring has shown minimal long-term effects on local ecosystems, with some artificial reef effects observed around foundations.

Veja Mate also contributes to local economic development through operations and maintenance activities. The project's service operations vessel (SOV) is based in Emden, creating jobs and supporting the regional supply chain. The wind farm's presence has helped establish the German North Sea coast as a hub for offshore wind expertise, fostering innovation and knowledge transfer within the industry.

Future Outlook and Industry Context

As the offshore wind sector continues to mature, Veja Mate serves as a benchmark for operational excellence and cost efficiency. The lessons learned from its construction and operation have informed subsequent projects in the German Bight and beyond. The project's success demonstrates the viability of large-scale offshore wind as a reliable and competitive source of renewable energy.

Looking ahead, Veja Mate is well-positioned to benefit from technological advancements in turbine design and digitalization. Potential repowering opportunities in the future could further increase energy yield and extend the project's operational life. The site's excellent wind resources and existing infrastructure provide a strong foundation for continued contribution to Germany's renewable energy targets.

The offshore wind industry is poised for significant growth, with Germany aiming to install 30 GW of offshore capacity by 2030 and 70 GW by 2045. Veja Mate's experience and performance will continue to inform policy decisions and investment strategies as the sector scales up to meet ambitious climate objectives. The project remains a testament to the collaborative efforts of developers, investors, and policymakers in advancing the energy transition.